Curaçao Defeats Japan 4-0 to Claim 2026 Little League World Series International Championship

Willemstad, Curaçao, captured the 2026 Little League Baseball World Series International Championship with a dominant 4-0 victory over Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday, August 29, at Howard J. Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The win advances the Caribbean Region champions to the World Series title game, where they will face the United States bracket winner (Mountain Region from Henderson, Nevada) on Sunday, August 30.

Jaymiëll Martina Dominates on the Mound and at the Plate

Curaçao’s ace pitcher Jaymiëll Martina delivered a masterful performance, throwing 5⅔ scoreless innings. He allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out 12 batters. Martina also contributed offensively with an RBI double that plated an insurance run. He exited to a standing ovation in the top of the sixth—including applause from Japanese fans—after reaching his pitch-count limit. Reliever Giendry Ryan closed out the final out to secure the shutout.

Key Moments and Turning Points

Japan threatened early by loading the bases in the first inning, but Martina escaped the jam with consecutive strikeouts. Curaçao’s offense broke through in the bottom of the third. Capitalizing on multiple Japanese defensive errors and aggressive small-ball tactics (including bunts), the Willemstad squad scored three runs to take control. Martina’s RBI double in the fourth inning made it 4-0.This marked the second time Curaçao had shut out Japan in the 2026 tournament. The teams previously met in the opening rounds, when Curaçao combined for a 6-0 no-hitter.

Box Score Overview

Team Runs Hits Errors

Japan 0 2 4

Curaçao 4 3 0

Little League World Series International Championship Game 2026

Curaçao and Japan will battle for the International Championship on Saturday, August 29, at 12:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

The winner will advance to Sunday's Little League World Series Championship Game and face the U.S. bracket winner.

With the International title and a place in the overall final on the line, Saturday's matchup is one of the biggest games of the 2026 Little League World Series.

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